María Luisa Park – Seville, Spain

Sevilla’s María Luisa Park

In a city with a history as rich as Seville’s, it feels like around every turn is a stunning landmark ready to take your breath away. With so much to do and see, it’s easy to overlook the local parks for being standard features that you might find in any city. The María Luisa Park in Seville is anything but standard, and should be a must-vist-stop on your list of things to see. The 100 acre public green space, donated to the city by the Duchess of Montpensier, Maria Luisa Fernanda, in 1893, was also the site of the Ibero-American Exposition in the 1920s.

Just south of the historic heart of the city, María Luisa Park is a peaceful retreat from the Seville’s crowded central streets. Stroll through its French-style flowerbeds and among renaissance-style statues in this unofficial botanical garden. If you are looking for a little more culture, María Luisa Park is also home to Sevilla’s picturesque Plaza de España and several neo-moorish buildings, many of which house expositions, among them, Seville’s Archeological Museum. If you’d rather take it easy, bring some picnic supplies and find yourself a nice spot near one of the tiled fountains or pools, relax, breath in the sweet fragrance of the azahar blossoms on the local orange trees and enjoy the afternoon, Sevillano-style.

Restaurants Near María Luisa Park

DeÓ: Cross the Guadalquivir River into the Los Remedios neigborhood and indulge yourself with a meal at one of the most popular restaurants in town. Eating at DeÓ requires a reservation and you better plan in advance because they tend to fill up. » see more

Comfort: The Hotel Rey Alfonso X strikes a graceful balance between modern style and traditional Andalusian aesthetics in a 19th century building adapted to meet today’s standards. The bright and peaceful space provides a relaxing retreat in the heart of Seville’s old town complete with private rooftop bar and pool and panoramic views of the city. (13 minutes walking) » book a room

Luxury: The Hotel Alfonso XIII, built for the Ibero-American Exposition in the 1920’s to accommodate royalty and celebrities, is as rich in amenities as it is history. (8 minutes walking) » book a room